September is Suicide Prevention Month and National Recovery Month

Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide continues to be one of the leading causes of death in the United States.  It's no surprise that so many are navigating heavier struggles with depression, anxiety, and, for some, thoughts of suicide. Suicide rates have climbed steadily over the past five years, and according to the CDC, someone in the U.S. dies by suicide roughly every 11 minutes..  A recent survey completed by the Trevor Project showed terribly high levels of suicidal ideation in LGBTQ teens and young adults, with one in ten overall attempting suicide in 2025.  Globally compiled statistics from 2024 show a small decrease in overall suicide rates, but they remain higher than previous decades.

In light of this ongoing mental health crisis, every year in September we take time here to put put resources, education, and information in front of the people who need them, whether they're personally struggling or supporting someone who is. Talking about suicide in any context can feel uncomfortable, and a common fear is that bringing it up might "give someone the idea."  We highlight again that research says the opposite is true.  Open, compassionate conversations help reduce stigma, ease feelings of isolation, and strengthen the connections that keep people feeling safe. Prevention starts with dialogue, empathy, and dependable support systems, and our goal this month is to make those systems easier to find through direct links and education.

Below are organizations offering both immediate crisis supports and longer-term mental health resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988 anytime, or visit 988lifeline.org, for free, confidential support around the clock.
• Samaritans: A Massachusetts-based support service; their 24-hour support can be reached here.
• This Massachusetts state guide walks through the process for voluntary and involuntary commitment, along with patient rights during admission and discharge.
• Mass.gov Suicide Prevention Resources: The state also maintains a list of mental health and suicide prevention organizations, school resources, and printable educational materials.
• Massachusetts Suicide Prevention Coalitions and Providers: A regularly updated state list of nonprofit coalitions and providers working in mental health and suicide prevention.
• Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention: A statewide education and advocacy organization with an extensive resource library.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness Massachusetts: Offers advocacy and resources for residents statewide, including their page on Suicide Prevention Month.
• Talk Away the Dark:  A community advocacy and support network that builds awareness around suicidal ideation and connects people to resources and social support.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Massachusetts Chapter: offers community education programs, professional trainings, and volunteer opportunities across the state, run by loss survivors and mental health advocates.
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance: Peer-led support for people living with depression or bipolar disorder.

For those struggling with suicidal thoughts, we recommend you see a professional immediately.  If you don’t have a mental health professional, we recommend you talk with your doctor first and consider psychiatric help, as medication has been shown to be effective in reducing ideation and attempts for many.  Then we recommend finding a talk therapist for ongoing support. Listed below are some therapist databases and referral services for the area:

• InnoPsych
• Therapy Den Boston
• Grow Therapy
• The Black Mental Health Alliance
• Psychology Today Boston Therapists List

Finally, we also want to honor friends and family members who've lost a loved one to suicide and highlight places for them to turn. Many loss survivors find real comfort in connecting with others who understand what they're going through, whether through community groups or professional support. Here are some places to start:

• Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors: Forums, information, and peer community for those grieving a suicide loss.

• Friends for Survival: Supports both loss survivors and mental health professionals, offering education, resources, and a Suicide Help Line (1-800-646-7322).
• Parents of Suicide and Friends & Family of Suicides: Public message boards and live chats for people grieving a suicide loss.
• After a Suicide: Grief Resource Directory: A directory of further resources and education for loss survivors.
• Save.org Find a Support Group: A searchable database of community support groups of all kinds.

National Recovery Month

September also marks National Recovery Month, a time to raise awareness around substance use addiction while celebrating the recovery from dependence. Addiction and substance abuse are destructive to people’s lives; it is both physically and emotionally difficult to free oneself from dependence on alcohol or drugs.  Recovery and healing are built through understanding of the condition, a network of support, and consistency in self-care.

There's genuinely encouraging news this year: overdose rates have declined for yet another consecutive year, returning us to pre-pandemic levels, although still higher than previous decades. It's also worth noting that last year’s cuts to the federal workforce and some state workforces have delayed reporting, the delay is noted on the CDC’s website.

For those that survive, and wish to live substance free, there’s no time like national recovery month to seek professional and peer support to help build a better life. As always, here's a mix of peer-led and professional resources for people in recovery, along with support for their families:

• Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting Finder App: AA's own app for locating meetings nearby, the longest-running and largest peer support network for people in recovery.
• New England Narcotics Anonymous Directory: NA meeting listings across the New England region.
• St. Anthony's Shrine: Hosts AA and recovery events throughout the year, including a National Recovery Month reception and mass on September 13th featuring councilor Ed Flynn and other guest speakers.
• Al-Anon: An AA-affiliated network built specifically for families and friends of people living with alcoholism.
• SMART Recovery: A skills-based, non-12-step peer support network with online meetings.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): The national agency for substance use and mental health information and assistance.
• Project ASSERT: A Boston-area referral program for detox and longer term rehab.
• City of Boston Recovery Services Team: Runs the PAATHS program, offering referrals and advocacy for detox and other recovery services, available weekdays 9–5.
• Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline, call or text "HOPE" to (800) 327-5050, or chat at helplinema.org, for free 24/7 help finding harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support in your preferred language.
• Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR), a statewide recovery community organization offering peer support events, local sober and recovery programs, and education for individuals and families across Massachusetts.
• In the Rooms: A global online recovery and support community.
• Massachusetts hospitalization guide: Outlines the process and requirements for hospitalizing a family member for inpatient substance use evaluation and treatment.
• NAADAC on National Recovery Month
• National Recovery Month Calendar

The City of Boston Employee Assistance Program offers free, confidential counseling for all City employees and their immediate family members for mental health counseling, substance use counseling, consultation and more. Our counselors can help you process what you are experiencing, as well as assist with referrals to longer-term therapy or other support services if needed.  We are best reached at 617-635-2200 from 7am-5pm Monday through Friday. 

If you are not yet ready for a one-on-one conversation, the EAP Resource List includes mental health, substance use, financial, childcare, and other community support links across Greater Boston. It is a good place to start exploring your options at your own pace.

Have a safe September!